This little memo is being passed around to our favorite cellular company's vendors along with "proprietary and confidential" explanations of this system called "Authentication."

They define it as "an anti-fraud technology which validates a customer on our Network by Cryptography."  Two pieces of "private information" known as an "A-Key" and "Shared Secret Data" (SSD) reside in both the phone and a database at the cellular switch.  These two bits of data are never transmitted and thus, "the new Authentication technology will eliminate cloning fraud as we know it today."

The "A-Key" can either default to all zeros or be a random number.  BANM is requiring their retailers to sell the random kind.

"Authentication" is automatically downloaded into the switch from the manufacturer.  The customer, or for that matter the retailer, doesn't have to do anything at all.

In addition to the manufacturers listed in this memo, agreements are expected soon from Sony, Panasonic, OKI, NEC, and Mitsubishi.  Motorola phones with "Authentication" are indicated by "EE3" on the back or beneath the battery.  Nokia has "AU" following the model number.  Audiovox models 405A, 460, 560, 850A, 3600A, 9100A, or phones with a symbol of a black key are ready for "Authentication," as are Ericsson models 600, 630, and 738.

"Authentication," which takes up to 48 hours to be activated for new customers ("via nightly batch processing"), is designed to eliminate the need for a PIN in the home region and eventually while roaming.